Elkhorn, Omaha, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elkhorn
|
|
|---|---|
|
Neighborhood of Omaha
|
|
Downtown Elkhorn: Main Street, looking north
|
|
Location of Elkhorn prior to annexation
|
|
Omaha after annexing Elkhorn
|
|
| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Douglas |
| Named for | Elkhorn River |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.8 sq mi (9.8 km2) |
| • Land | 3.7 sq mi (9.7 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,214 ft (370 m) |
| Population
(2000)
|
|
| • Total | 6,062 |
| • Density | 1,619.4/sq mi (625.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
68022
|
| Area code(s) | 402 |
| FIPS code | 31-15080 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0829062 |
Elkhorn is a neighborhood located in the western part of Omaha, Nebraska, in the United States. In 2000, about 6,062 people lived there. By 2005, the population grew to an estimated 8,192. Elkhorn was named after the nearby Elkhorn River. It became part of Omaha in 2007.
Contents
A Brief History of Elkhorn
Early Days and Railroad Connection
Elkhorn was officially planned out and marked on a map (this is called 'platting') in 1867. This happened when the Union Pacific Railroad built its tracks through the area. George Crawford founded Elkhorn in 1865.
Recent Events: The 2024 Tornado
On April 26, 2024, Elkhorn was hit by a very strong tornado. This tornado was rated as an EF4, which means it caused extreme damage. It traveled a long distance. Many homes and businesses in Elkhorn were badly damaged or completely destroyed.
How Elkhorn Became Part of Omaha
Elkhorn used to be an independent town. It was founded in 1865. But in 2005, the larger city of Omaha decided to annex Elkhorn. Annexation means a larger city takes over a smaller area next to it.
The Fight Against Annexation
Elkhorn's leaders tried to stop Omaha from annexing them. They quickly annexed several smaller areas around Elkhorn. Their goal was to make Elkhorn's population more than 10,000 people. A state law from 1917 said that Omaha could not annex towns with over 10,000 residents.
Court Decisions and Final Outcome
The case went to court. On January 12, 2007, the Nebraska Supreme Court decided that Omaha was allowed to annex Elkhorn. The court said that Elkhorn stopped being a separate town on March 24, 2005. This was the date when Omaha's annexation plan officially started. Elkhorn then asked the Supreme Court of the United States to hear their case, but the request was denied on February 22, 2007.
Omaha's mayor, Mike Fahey, said he had tried to work with Elkhorn for years. He offered that Omaha would not annex Elkhorn if Elkhorn stopped annexing other areas itself. Elkhorn's representatives did not agree with this offer.
After Omaha won the first court case, Elkhorn offered to make a deal. However, Omaha had already spent a lot of money on the court battles. So, Omaha refused the deal and continued with the annexation.
The very last meeting of the Elkhorn city council happened on February 27, 2007. Elkhorn officially stopped being an independent municipality (a self-governing town) on March 1, 2007.
Education in Elkhorn
The public schools in the Elkhorn area are managed by Elkhorn Public Schools.
